Suspect Tries to Shoot Officer's Dog; HPD Officer Shoots Him Dead

Senior Police Officer E. Newman, a K-9 officer, was called to a "discharge of firearms" scene early Monday evening at 5725 Fondren and located a fleeing suspect who'd already fired shots at other Houston Police Department Officers. Officer M. Alanis had fired at the suspect in return, but missed.

According to a police report filed in the case, Newman's dog found the man -- who'd fled on foot -- in a nearby strip shopping center.

The suspect "first attempted to shoot the dog. However, upon seeing Officer Newman, the suspect then pointed his gun at him. Officer Newman, fearing for his life, then discharged his duty weapon, striking the suspect," according to the police report filed by HPD Homicide Division Sergeant R. Rodriguez and Officer M. Burrow.

Paramedics responding to the scene pronounced the man dead. Investigators recovered his weapon. Authorities are still trying to verify his identity. No one else was hurt in the exchange of gunfire.